Gear Watch Wednesday is a weekly update on the latest mountain bike gear releases and products that Singletracks has received for test. Have gear news to share, or products you’d like us to check out? Email [email protected].
Nicolai Saturn 16 MGU
The Nicolai Saturn 16 MGU electric enduro bike is notable for its use of a Gates Carbon drivetrain and geared Pinion motor integrated into the bottom bracket area. The bike comes fitted with a UT Overload Bashguard to protect the carbon belt while the Pinion Motor Gearbox Unit (MGU) delivers both power and a wide gear range within a single sealed unit.
- Price: From 10,999€
- Buy from nicolai-bicycles.com
YT Tues MK4
YT now has Core and Uncaged versions of their full-on DH bike, the Tues. The Core 2 build, shown here, is priced at just $3,999 and looks absolutely dialed. Size small and medium frames feature mixed wheels, while sizes large through extra, extra large come with matched 29er wheels.
There are also new Core builds available for the Dirt Love, the brand’s chromoly steel dirt jump bike.
- Price: YT Tues from $3,999, YT Dirt Love from $1,049 (sale price)
- Buy from yt-industries.com
Hutchinson Caracal gravel tire range
The new Hutchinson Caracal gravel tire looks like a road bike tire in the middle and a gravel tire on the sides. The brand claims the Caracal is “the fastest gravel tire on the market,” and it’s said to weigh 475g. The Race version of the Hutchinson Caracal utilizes premium Mach 3.0 rubber and lighter “SwiftEasy” casing tech.
- Price: 59.99€ for the Race version, 54.99€ for standard
- Buy from Hutchinson dealers
Ombraz Cammina
Armless sunglass purveyor Ombraz has a new style this spring. The Ombraz Cammina sunglasses are available in narrow and regular sizes, and buyers can choose gray, brown, or yellow lenses.
- Price: $160
- Buy from Ombraz
New Michelin DH 22 and DH 16 Racing tire line
The latest Michelin DH mountain bike tires feature a new Magi-X rubber compound, now with folding bead construction that promises to be easier to manage. Both the Michelin DH 22 and DH 16 tires feature a casing that’s designed to deliver “optimal puncture and pinch protection that was specifically developed for UCI World Cup riders and freeride legends.” Available in 27.5″ and 29″ diameters, all 2.40″ wide.
- Price and availability unknown.
Forge + Bond 30 EM 27.5 mixed wheelset
The Forge + Bond 30 EM 27.5 mixed wheelset is said to be the strongest mountain bike wheelset the brand has produced yet. The Fusionfiber rims feature a 30mm inner width and are designed for aggressive trail and enduro riding.
- Price: Starting at $1,250 for a set
- Buy from Forge + Bond
Tout Terrain Cinq Plug6
Batteries on bikes are starting to get out of control, and with so many devices to charge—derailleurs, remotes, lights, GPS units, phones, and cameras—having a single power source starts to make sense. The Tout Terrain Cinq Plug6 steerer tube-mounted battery, now available in North America, can’t power all your devices at once, but it looks to be a good backup for charging a dead device or keeping critical items topped off during long rides.
- Price: $359.99
- Buy from tout-terrain.bike
Wolf Tooth GnarWolf Chainguide rev2 is lighter AND cheaper
The latest Wolf Tooth GnarWolf chainguide is available in five colors and knocks 2g of weight off the original. Wolf Tooth says the GnarWolf works with 45-51mm chainlines and fits a wide range of round and oval chainrings from 28-62T.
- Price: $49.95
- Buy from Wolf Tooth
Vittoria Mostro tire
The Vittoria Mostro is a new enduro tire designed for loose conditions. Buyers can choose from two compound and casing options with the Race formulation promising maximum grip. Available in 27.5″ and 29″ diameters, and 2.4″ and 2.6″ widths.
- Weight: 1490g (29×2.4 Race Formulation)
- Price: $89.99 – $99.99
- Buy from Vittoria retailers
Mongoose bikes are now available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
There’s a good chance you’re about to start seeing more Mongoose bikes on your local trails. That is, if your town has a Dick’s Sporting Goods. The long-established bike brand will have a variety of bikes available in Dick’s stores and online, from mountain bikes to gravel and kids bikes.
One of the exclusive bikes on offer, the Mongoose Switchback Expert (in for test), is priced at about $700 and is available in four frame sizes. The aluminum alloy hardtail has a 66.5° head tube angle and 100mm of front suspension travel with hydraulic disc brakes, a 1×8 drivetrain, and internal cable routing. Though there’s no dropper post included, the frame is ready for one.
- Price: $699.99
- Buy from Dick’s Sporting Goods
AMS bar tape
All Mountain Style (AMS) Sterrato bar tape features a shock-absorbing gel layer inside plus a grippy pattern on the outside for maximum control on bumpy gravel roads.
- Price: $49.99
- Buy from allmountainstyle.com
ContiTPU tube
Continental has a new TPU-based bike tube dubbed the ContiTPU. Similar to Tubolito replacement tubes, ContiTPU is lightweight and compact. ContiTPU tubes are set to be offered in both road and off-road sizes.
- Pricing and availability TBD.
